Adjustament of cameras



B. UFFRECHT ADJUSTMENT OF CAMERAS Filed Aug. 5, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet l RNQO.

uwiuhvw w /fmm a.

Filed,Aug. 5, 1938 s Sheets- Sheet 2 mom '0 Mam"...

06L 1941- B. UFFRECHT ADJUSTMENT OE CAMERAS Filed Aug. S, 1938 s Sheets-Sheet s ll/III, win I I VII/IIIIIIIIIIIA p and attention is therefore necessary this method under varied and difficult conditions.

farthest distance is-overestimated.

Patented Oct. 14, 1941 252268.635 ADJUSTMENT OF CAMERAS Bernhard Uffrecht, Neuhaldenslebcn, Germany 4 Claims.

For securing sharp pictures, the user of a camera'hasto'take into account four quantities: N1=the effective diameter of diaphragm which is required for covering sharply the field between the farthest and the nearest plane of good definition, Na* focal distance of the definition, Na=focal distance of the plane in sharp focus, N4=focal distance of the farthest plane of. good definition,

nearest plane of good which are connected by the two relations:

in which I "means the focal length of the camera lens and z the permissible diameterof the circle of confusion produced on the'plate by points of the nearestor definition.

Of those four ,quantities, only two can be the farthest] plane of good chosen freely. after which the two others are therelations (1).

tions. Axconsiderable degree of skill, experience In contrast to this method, the present invention secures sharp picture's automatically under all circumstances without any special attention to or manipulation for the adiustment of the diaphragm and even without the of a range finder. This is effected by setting the estimated distances of the nearest and of the farthest plane of good definition upon scales on the camera,

in estimating the distances of I whereby errors thenearest and of the farthest plane of good definition will never diminish .but even increase the sharpness of the image, provided only that the nearest distance is underestimated andthe Moreover, instead of the nearest and farthest 5 numbers N1, m, N2,

and freely,

. afterwards for adapting them to the given condi for using Application August 5, 1938, Serial No. 223,256 In Germany March 4, 193':

four quantities N1, Na, N3 N4 can be set on scales of the camera, whereby always, simultaneously and automatically, the camera lens is focussed, the iris diaphragm is adjusted, and the four N4, belonging together according to the formulas (1) and (2), ar indicated by indexes gliding along the scales on the camera l I I Other achievements and properties which distinguish my invention from other ones, will appear hereinafter.

-, The invention is based on optical and geometrical relations,

which as a part and as the principle of the invention are described below and are illustrated by Fig. 1. Fig. 2, Fig. 13 and Fig. 4.

Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 illustrate, in plan and in two sections, an extra apparatus basedv on the above relations and achieving, simultaneously and automatically, the adjustment .of any two of the four numbers N1, N2, N1 andm by adjusting the two others manually. l

A device of the same kind, but attached to the lens holder of a folding camera and connected with 'its lens and iris diaphragm by transmissions for adjusting the lens and the diaphragm automatically by setting any two of the four quantities N1, N2, N3, N4 upon scales of the camera, is'illustrated by Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there are shown four rays I, II, III, IV diverging from a point 0 and forming an harmonic pencil. The rays of every such a. pencil can be always provided with scales (series of numbers) so thatevery four numbers, lying in a straight line V on. points P1, P2, Pa, P4 of I, II, III and IV respectively, can be always interpreted as .numbers N1, N2, N3, N4 belonging together according to the formulas most general case, all four of these scales are perspective copies of the natural scale. For the purposes ln'question, however, it is advantageous to choose the scaleon ray I especially as a natural one with the number 0 in 0.- On this condiways similar, and any straight line parallel to her 0 lies in 0.

These statements construction of all four each- I and each Z when the unit of the natural scaleon- I and, moreover, one of the numbers Na, Na OIN of one of thethree scaleson II, III or IV are chosen atrandom. g

. For the purposes of the invention, however, it is necessary to make a (1) and (2). In the tion, the three. scales on II, III and IV are alp in cOmbination with the above formulas (1) and (2) make possible the;

scales for each pencil,-

suitable selection of planes of good definition, any othe t 1 t to the angles of the harmonic pencil and of the res point.

length of its ra for all:

ys. There may be chosen, once (I, IV)=45 tang 4 (III, Iv It follows: tang (II, IV)=% The length of the scale on ray I reaching from o to that point A in which the number it for the maximum dia eter of the diaphragm lies, may

be chosen A'=l0 units and the length of the scale on ray IV reaching from o to that point D in which the number no liesoD= 8 units. It iollows LoC= /8 2 units oe=z lfi niu if C and 3 denote th pectively on whic ose points ofray III or II h the number 00 comes to lie.

The length of the unit as compatible with the, If f=l0 cm., a length of the unit. If f is smalle may be smaller, too.

If the angles and the lengths described, the number i can be chosen as small demands of exactness. 0.2 cm. is sufllcient for the length ot the unit are chosen as L 5 z-wi comes to lie in all three scales II, III and IV in the middle between 0 and '9 I In the above formula, -b means For instance: if f="cm.,

st=4'.5 I

then Y v M=l59 cm. or 1.59 m,

III and IV can be easily following manner, illustrated point 0 or the scale to be line bearing the natural at nought coincideswith 0. M of this scale with the he graduated and let the. at parallel to the natural Now the scales on II constructed in the by Fig. 2:

Draw through the graduated a straight scale of numbers so th Connect the number middle oi the scale to connecting line out th I scale which runs through the end .point of the 7 scale to he graduated.

This intersection is the center of perspective between the natural scale and the-scale to he graduated. and the graduation can now be carried through by producing a perspective copy of the infinite natural series of numbers on the scale to be graduated. 01 course, all-numbersN by mathematical relations, forinstance N1 by i N1 or N2, N3, N4 by N'2=Nz +f, N' ==N'=+r, N'4=N4+f, sothat alldistances are reckoned' from the camera lens itself instead from its front focal Instead or another number, say L, is put aacaeas on the point D 01 IV, or C of II, or B of II; the number M-L 6 M L- L comes tolie' in all three scales II, III and IV in the middle between 0 and provided that the -scale on I remains unchanged. Fig. 3 illustrates the resulting scales if L= l0 and Fig. 4 the resulting scales if L=2.

, a device of the second 1, Na, N3, N4 can be replaced by other numbers connected with N1, N2, N3. N4

If now the four ra are replaced by four points P1, P2, free to slide 1 straight line itself contain four knobs c achieving, si adjustment N2, N3, N4 5 If, furth with the hi mission fo proportion knob P3 is transmissio P; on the s placement placement ys I, II, III, IV in Fig. I slide guides and the four P3, P4 by four knobs which are n these slide guides, and if the V isreplaced by amovable bar mg a slide guide in which the said of any two of the four numbers N1, y adjusting the two others manually. ermore, the .knob P1 is connected s diaphragm of a camera by a transr transferring the movement of P1 ally to the said diaphragm, and lime connected with the camera lens by a n for transferring the movement of aidlens in such mannerthat the dis- CPa of P: is connected with the disa of the camera lens by the formula c..-.' c *M 0c-cP. L

in which a=thefdistance of the image plane, then results a; devic and automatically, phragmand otthe camera lens b two of the four knobs P1, P2, of the device.

The first device can paratus for the adjust the rear focal point from e achieving, simultaneously y setting any P3, P4 upon scales be used as auxiliary apklnd can be used directly as adjusting device for cameras.

Being similar, the three scales on II, III and IV can be replaced by a single one by transferring the movements or the knobsPz, P: and P4 to any part of the apparatus by transmissions which diminish the movement of Pa in a ratio of and that of P2 in a ratio of 4 to that of P4. If suitably chosen, such transmission's allow' moreover to make the new scale as big as desirable for its being read, and on the other hand to make the slide guides as small as mentioned. In the above term for a, the displacement CF: of P: has an influence on the first part s M 00 0P. and the number Lon the second part only. If, therefore, the transmission between P: and the camera lens efiects the displacement u of thefcamera lens and a vcontrivance is provided an slide freely, there results a device multaneously'and automatically, the i the adjustment of the diament of cameras, whilst adjusting screw I encased v in addition to it, then special scales with small numbers Lin the point C. can be used for close lip photographs. l

The circle of confusion Z, chose'n'forthe constructlon oi" the scales on II, III and IV, determines the degree of sharpness with which the subject betwen the limits N: and N4 is copied. For instance, if

the degree or sharpness-is suillcient for a picture size of 6 x 9 cm. If an enlargement of the picture up to the size n16 x n-9 cm. is intendedponly the number 'Nif of the tour numbers N1, N1, N3, N4, belonging together if I is to be changed into n-Ni'. Therefore, the four scales of the auxiliary apparatus,- constructed for a fixed picture size, can be used unchanged for" every enlargement intended in a very simple l eral properties following from it, I will now proceed to describe two preferred embodiments thereof. v I Fig. illustrates the preferred embodiment of the extra apparatus for the adjustment of cameras mentioned above. Into the plate 8, serving as the base of the apparatus, the, slide guides I and I, embodying the rays I and IV of Fig.4, are grooved, in which the pins land I, embodying the points Pi and P4 of Fig. 1' and mounted on slides 9 and Ill respectively are free toslide. The displacement of pin I, eflfected by working the 'l I, is transferred by theme]: I!

to the toothed wheel i3 mounted on the axle ll. The displacement of pin l, eifected by working.

- the adjusting screw 15, is transferred by the; rack l8 to the toothed wheel ll mounted on the same axle ll. The pins 1 and I projectinto' the grooved and movable bar 5, which is therefore-' moved when the pins I and I are moved. The

bar 5 embodies the straight line V in Fig. l-and projects into the foot I! of the circular slide ll l are chosen as described above. With the wheel "ll, there is connectedthe index II which glides the focal distance or the farthest plane of good l along the dial 32 indicating which 'lens stop slhouldbe used. The wheels I1, 24, it (see Fig. I '1) are connected with the indexes 33, ll, 35 re-.

spectively which glide along the dial, I6 indicating definition, of the plane in sharp focus and of the nearestjplane of good focus respectively. If it is to be read-towhich. -distance the objective lens is to be adjusted and which lens stop is to be chosen when the farthest and nearest. plane of a the numbers subject are given,'.'flrst the index 33 and then the index must be set upon the scale 21 by 'working first the adjusting screw it and then the adjusting screw N. If, however, the lens stop is chosen according to the prevailing light,

first the screw II and then the screw ll must be,

worked. 1

If. by working the screws II and I, not only N1, N2,- Ns, 'N4 shall be indicated, but also the camera. objective and 'the diaphragm shall befocussed and adiusted automatically, the device described must be attached to the lens holder of t e when and must be connected wit its objective and diaphragm.

so that the slide l'fl'isfree to-gllde along-the bar s. The head 2| of the slide ll projects into the sash frame 22, which is free to slide in the slide guide 3 and keepsthe center of the circular slide I! in the straight line III of Fig. I.

The sash frame 22 transfers, .bymeans of the rack 23, the displacement of ll, eifeciedby working the screw II or I, to the toothed wheel 24 mounted on the axle ll.v The circular head 2|,

which runs from the center of the head ,in the conceived as a part of the bar I brought toanslide in the slide guide 2 (Fig. 6) embodying the ray. II in Fig. 1 and grooved into the covering of the'slide II is provided with the groove is, l

' direction of the bar I. The groove 2' can be I other level. Into the groove 25, there projects plate 28 of the apparatus as it is shown in Fig. 6.

' distance Fig. Billustrates'such a lens holder in elevation, whilst Fig. 9 andFig. 10 show two sections.

The lens holder consists of a casing, 011' the base plate 28 of which thedescribed device is fixed. The positionlof this" device can be recognized .by the scre ws, l l and I} and by the axle II. The other parts oi the device, situated between 'itsbase plateji a'ndits covering plate 21, are

not shown in Fig. 8, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. of they four indexes ll, 33, II and 35, the two indexes 34' and ll are repl ed by thetoothed wheels 38 and 29 respectively, the, latter one bearing the point 40 serving as indicator, fol-the lens stop, and the former one bearing theindx ll for the j of sharp 'focus'. The scales are fixed on the covering plate 42 of the lens holder, and the movement of the index es 23,- ll and I! can be seen through the window I! or the covering plate 42, whilst the movement of pointlll can be seen through the window N.-

The tube ll of the camera objective fits-into the base plate "and into the coveringplate 42 so that the objective is free to be moved in the direction ot the optical axis; whilst mation'of' the objective is prevented by the incisions 46, ll

and of the covering plate 02, into which there roject'the rails 59, ll, 5| running along the' ube of the'objective. A toothed circular ring 52 is mounted on the base plate 28, the rotation inns of which coincides with the optical axis of the objective. The pins 3, M, II project irom the inside of the ring 52 into curves which are grooved into the sleeve 66 screwed onto the end of the objective tube. curves (not shown) are constructed according to the formula for-u.

The ring 52 is connected with the toothed, wheel 38 by means of the toothed wheels 51 and ill and therefore brings the camera objective'always into the right position, indicated by the index I I, when the screw II or ii. is worked.

The toothed ring n mounted on the inside of the covering plate 42 meshes with the toothed The rack 21 transfers the displacement of pin- I 26 to the toothed wheel 30 mounted on the axle.

. of the inner disc.

wheel 39 so that its axis of rotation coincides with the optical axis of the camera lens. This ring 59 bears the hole ill, through which the,

lever SI of the iris diaphragm is put. Said lever 6| is inserted into the casing of the lens holder through the incision 62 of the covering plate 42.

So, by working the screw 41, the diaphragm is adjusted as indicated by the index 40.

If the camera is provided with-a device allowing to impart an advance movement to the lens holder as a whole, one definite scale-of distance as described above corresponds to each advance.

One of these scales, corresponding to the advance and therefore being usable for the distances between 0.5 and 2 meters, is shown in Fig. 8' in addition to the normal scale for distances from w to 0.8. 1

- In order to eliminate lost motion,'it,is advantageous to provide the'ring ,52 with the spring arm 65 mounted on the inner disc 64. In this way, the outer ring always follows the movement If, however, the ring 52 is arrested by the-bolt 51, the indicator 40 can be put on a higher number of diaphragm'by the screw. without the objective altering its position.

If it'is intended to obtain an enlargement of n times the normal size, one adjusts the mechanism'at first as in the normal case, thereafter arrests the objective by the bolt 61 and now ad justs the diaphragm to the n-fold of its former number.

7 While I have described what I at present consider the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from my invention, and I, therefore, aim in the appended claims to cover ously, the two other knobs always are set on numbers which, together (with the first-mentioned numbers, form a quadruple .of numbers connected by the relations:

in which I and Z are any two numbers chosen freely but unchangeableand in which Ni=eifective diameter of diaphragm which is required for covering sharply the field between the farthest and the nearest plane of good definition,

Nz=focal distance of thenearest plane of good definition,

N3=f0C81 distance of the plane in sharp focus,

N4=.focal distance of the farthest plane of good defintion,

Z -=permiss1ble diameter of the circle of confusion, produced on the image plane by points-of the -nearest or farthest plane of good definition, and

f =focal length of the camera lens.

\ 2. In a camera with an iris diaphragm an adjusting device as described in claim 1 and comprising a transmission for transferring the movement of P1 proportionally to the lever of the diaphragm; and atransmission for transferring the movement of P3 relative to the dis- C that point of the third slide guide in which the number m lies,

O that point of the third slide guide in which the number 0 lies,

M that number of the third slide guide which lies in the middle of CO,

:1- the distance of the rear focal point from the all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and Scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. An adjusting device for photographic pur- I poses comprising four fixed slideguides (1, 2, 3, 4) forming by their projections an harmonic pencil; four knobs (P1, P2, P3, P4) which are free to slide in'said slide guides respectively; a fifth movable slide guide in which the said four knobs are free to slideand by which they always are kept in a straight line and therefore are brought into a definite position if any two of them are brought into a definite position; a first scale coordinating a definite number N1 to each position of the first knob (Pi); a second scale coordinating a definite number N2 to each position of the sec-- ond knob (P2); a third scale coordinating a definite number N: to each position of the third knob (P3); a fourth scale coordinating a definite number N4 to each position of the fourth knob (P4); and a contrivance, for setting anytwo of the four knobs on numbers of their scales manually. whereby, automatically and simultaneimage plane- 3. In a camera with an iris diaphragm an adjusting device as described in claim 1 and comprising a transmission for transferring the movement of P1 proportionally to the lever of the diaphragm; and a" transmission for transferring the movement of P3 relative to the displacement 1: of the camera lens and with respect to the displacement. CH: of P3 according to the formula saidv device comprising furthermore a contrivance for breaking off the transmission between P3 and the camera lens. 7

4. An adjusting device for photographic purposes comprising four fixed slide guides (1, 2, 3, 4) forming by themselves an harmonic pencil; four knobs (P1, P2, Pa, to slide in said slide guides respectively; a fifth are, free to slide and by which they always are kept in a straight line and therefore are brought into a definite position ii! any two of them are brought into a definite position; a first scale coordinatins a definite number N1 to each position or the first knob (P1); a second scale coordinating' a definite number N: to'each position of the second knob (P2); a third scale coordinating a definite number N: to each position of the third kno'b (Pa); a fourth scale coordinating a definite number N1 to each position of the fourth knob (P4); and a contriyance for setting any two of the tour knobs on numbers 01' their scales manually, whereby, automatically and simultaneously, the two other knobs always are set on numbers which, together with the first-mentioned numbers, form a quadruple of numbers connected by the relations:

P4) which are free movable slide guide in which the said four knobs in which I and Z are any two numbers chosen freely but unchangeable and in which N1= Bfl6Ct1Ve diameter or diaphragm which is required for covering sharply the field between the iarthestand the nearest planes of good definition, Nz=focal distance of the nearest definition,

1o Ni==focal distance of the plane in sharp focus,

N4=Iocal distance of the farthest plane of good definition,

z =permissible diameter of the fusion, produced on the image plane by points of the nearest or farthest plane of good definition, v

and

=focal length of the camera lens.

BERNHARD plane oi, good circle 01 con- 

